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Our Staff

Administration

Heather Tosten, Director

Heather has a degree in Early Childhood Education and holds two Montessori Teaching Diplomas, one for children birth to three years and the other for ages three to six. She joined the HCS teaching team in 1997 as the Extended Care Teacher. She went on to develop and implement the now very successful Pre-Primary classroom. Heather now shares her passion for teaching young children by leading our dedicated team of teachers as the Director. Heather is married and has three children, all of whom are HCS alumni. She enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her family.

Brenda Wolfensberger, Office Manager

A longtime resident of Washington County, Brenda has over eight years of experience with the Montessori curriculum. She has been in administration and HR for more than fifteen years and is looking forward to sharing her experience with HCS.

Teaching Staff

Susan Hoelschen, Lead Primary Teacher

Susan is a seasoned Montessorian with many years of experience. She works closely with the teachers in all the classrooms to support our students. In her spare time Susan enjoys volunteering, gardening and traveling with her family.

Kaelin Popp, Lead Primary Teacher

Kaelin joined our team in 2008. She has a Montessori Teaching Diploma. Kaelin currently teaches in our Primary classroom. She is married and has two children, one HCS alumni and one current student. She has a passion for sharing her love of learning with the children that attend HCS.

Angela Robinson, Lead Primary Teacher

Angela received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown University and has received her Montessori teaching diploma. She joined our teaching team after her 3 daughters had very positive first school experiences in our Primary classroom. She and her husband, Jesse, grew up in Philadelphia and visits family there often. Angela is enthusiastic about working with children and brings her zest for life into the classroom.

Katie Sellers, Kindergarten Teacher

Katie has her Bachelors in Psychology from Virginia Tech and her Masters in Elementary Education from Frostburg State University. She also recently completed her Montessori training. She has over 10 years of experience working with children in different settings include child care and education. She is married and has a 2 year old daughter. Her hobbies include hiking and traveling with her family. Katie has always had a love for the Montessori philosophy and incorporates her experiences and knowledge to create an engaging classroom environment.

Penny Weagly, Lead Pre-Primary Teacher

Penny has been a member of our team since 2001. Before that she served as a parent volunteer and an active board member. She holds a Montessori Teaching Diploma and is dedicated to providing our youngest students with a positive first educational experience in the Pre-Primary program. She is married with two children, both of whom attended HCS.

Alieta Dodson, Lead Pre-Primary Teacher

Alieta holds a Montessori Teaching Diploma and Montessori Assistance Certificate. She joined our team in 2002 after attending Washington County Technical High School for Early Childhood Education. Her gentle approach to teaching helps her connect with the students in her classroom. She enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with her husband.

Marley Weagly, Assistant Primary Teacher

Ms. Marley's bio is coming soon.

Kristen Brandon, Assistant Pre-Primary Teacher

Kristen is excited to join the HCS team. She loves the Montessori teaching methods as a parent of 2 children that currently attend HCS.Originally from Long Island, NY but now resides in Hagerstown. Kristen received her bachelors degree in Human Service from Mount St Mary College and has years of experience in childcare settings.

Kris Pearl, Assistant Primary Teacher

Ms. Kris come to us at Hagerstown Children's School with over 30 years of teaching experience. Her son, who is now in college, was an HCS alumni. She believes his time spent at HCS led to his success in school. She enjoys working with children and loves to watch them learn and grow. Ms. Kris also loves time spent with her family and watching her son perform with the college band.

Angela Beard, Assistant Primary Teacher

Ms. Angela's bio will be coming soon.

Cole Shenebeck, Assistant Pre-Primary Teacher

Ms. Cole's bio will be coming soon.

Allie Cox, Assistant Primary Teacher

Ms. Allie's bio is coming soon.

Shirley Klotz, Teacher Support Aide

Shirley joins our HCS staff with over 20 years experience in the corporate field. After spending twenty years as Director of HR she spent several years as a nursing recruiter and was instrumental ensuring that nursing students.

Stephanie Hummel, Teacher Support Aide

Ms. Stephanie is excited to join our HCS team. She has an Associate of Arts degree and over 16 years of educating children in a child care setting. She is married with two children. In her spare time she enjoys crocheting and spending time with her family.

Sue Schaeffer, Substitute Teacher

Sue joined our team in 2005. She holds a Bachelors Degree, a Montessori Teaching Diploma, and has over 27 years of experience teaching young children. Sue is married with two children and four grandchildren. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Mariah Kissinger, Substitute Teacher

Mariah received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Harrisburg Area Community College in May of 2016. She joined our team this year and loves her position due to getting a chance to be in every classroom! Mariah loves inspiring children to be the best they can be. She also is a dance instructor at Clarissa's School of Performing Arts. Mariah is studying for her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education.